Political Developments in New York Following Mamdani’s Mayoral Victory

In a surprising turn of events, 34-year-old Zoran Mamdani’s victory as the city’s next mayor has led to several Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members stepping forward to compete for his seat in the New York State Assembly.

Rana Abdelhamid, an Egyptian-American Muslim community organizer, has announced her candidacy for the 36th Congressional District, which includes Astoria. According to records from the State Election Commission, she has officially filed to run.

In addition, the DSA has thrown its support behind former Queens chapter co-chair Diana Moreno, while there are reports suggesting that Mary Jobaida, who previously ran in a nearby district, might consider entering the race as well.

Abdelhamid is a member of New York City’s DSA chapter, which is the largest in the nation, boasting over 11,200 members, including Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Tiffany Caban, a City Council member representing Astoria, is also affiliated with the DSA.

A successful DSA candidate would signify further growth and influence for the group within New York politics.

Abdelhamid attempted a preliminary challenge in 2022 against then-Representative Carolyn Maloney but had to withdraw due to redistricting that excluded Queens from her constituency. She’s noted for her active involvement in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community in Astoria, advocating for better demographic data collection on the community.

She also founded a women’s self-defense organization called Marika and has shared that Astoria is her hometown, often referred to as “Little Egypt.”

Reports indicate that Moreno is likely to receive backing from the DSA as well. A long-time Astoria resident, she co-chaired the NYC-DSA Queens chapter from 2021 to 2023 and later worked as the communications coordinator for the organization.

“I’m gearing up to run for Zoran’s City Council seat to ensure we have a reliable ally in Albany who’s dedicated to supporting our future mayor in creating an affordable New York City,” Moreno stated on Instagram recently.

As a mother and immigrant advocate, Moreno expressed her readiness to fight for the workers in Queens, emphasizing her commitment to the community’s needs.

Interestingly, while she was initially hesitant to run, citing family commitments, the political climate—including what she termed the Trump administration’s growing authoritarianism—motivated her to reconsider. If elected, one of her key agendas would be ensuring free and universal child care.

Moreno has also been visible in various pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the city.